After the meal, I retreated to my room for a quiet rest. I had barely settled onto my bed when a soft sound at the door made me look up.
It was the girl. She followed me in, her movements hesitant.
I watched her from my bed, a sigh building in my chest. Now what does she want? I thought, a touch of annoyance coloring my voice, even if it was only in my head.
She pushed the door open just enough to slip through, closing it silently behind her. Her large, curious eyes began to wander around my room. I watched her drift from one object to another like a moth drawn to faint lights. Her slender fingers ghosted over the spines of my adventure novels and the dusty history tomes on my shelf. Then, she moved to the window, pulling back the heavy velvet curtains to peer at the sprawling gardens below.
I get it, I mused, pushing myself up to a sitting position. She's exploring out of sheer curiosity. It's natural for kids her age. But why my room, of all places?
"You can't just wander into people's rooms, you know," I said. My voice came out softer than I intended.
She turned, startled, her hand still on the curtain.
"Come, sit down," I offered, patting the space at the foot of my bed. She complied, perching delicately on the edge.
"Hi," I started, a little awkwardly. It hit me with a jolt that I didn't even know her name. "Hey, I never asked... what's your name?"
She looked at me, her gaze direct. "My name is Nyssara Moonveli," she said, her voice like the chime of small bells. "I come from the continent of Silvaterrra. If I may be so bold... what race are you?"
I blinked. "I'm human."
"Ah." She seemed to process this. "My race is High Elf," she said, a hint of pride in her tone, though she hesitated slightly. "And I am of the Moonveli family."
Interesting, I thought. A continent named Silvaterra, on the far side of the world. A place you can only reach by a long sea voyage. How on earth did a High Elf noble from so far away end up here?
Before I could ask, a sharp knock echoed through the room, and Mom pushed the door open. "Shlok, go to the market and pick up a few things for me."
My shoulders slumped. "Me? Can't you send Lyra?" I complained, naming our maid.
Mom's hands went to her hips. "Lyra has been working tirelessly all day and is still helping me with the preserving. She can't go. You will go."
I groaned internally. Shit, man.
As she turned to leave, she paused in the doorway, a sly smile playing on her lips. "And listen, take Nyssara with you. It'll do her good to see the town. Whatever money is left over, you can keep for yourself."
Trapped, I could only agree.
We went downstairs, I grabbed a worn leather satchel, and the two of us set out for the market.
The moment we were outside, Nyssara's demeanor transformed. She practically skipped ahead, a soft, happy tune humming from her lips.
The path to the city was breathtaking, and even I had to admit it. To our left, magnificent mountains rose, their slopes a riot of countless, vibrant wildflowers. A gentle breeze swept down from the peaks, carrying the sweet scent of blossoms. It rustled the trees above, showering us in a flurry of pink cherry blossom petals.
To our right, fields of flowers swayed like a colorful sea. In the distance, one particular mountain peak remained stubbornly capped in brilliant white snow, a stark and beautiful contrast to the life teeming below.
I took a deep, deliberate breath, filling my lungs with the clean, fragrant air. This life... it really isn't so bad, I thought. Then I corrected myself. No, that's wrong. This life is a hundred thousand times better than the last one.
When we reached the bustling city, Nyssara's eyes went wide. I watched her try to take in everything at once—the towering clock in the square, the merchants shouting their wares, the strange and wonderful smells of street food and worked leather.
I found a relatively quiet spot and pulled out the crumpled list Mom had given me. "Alright, let's see what we need..."
By the time I looked up, she was gone. A flicker of panic shot through me before I spotted her, standing mesmerized in front of a confectioner's shop, her nose practically pressed against the glass.
"Hey! I told you not to wander off!" I called out, striding over to her.
"Sorry," she mumbled, not taking her eyes off a particular tray of pastries.
I followed her gaze. They were called Moonpetal Tarts – delicate, soft pastries filled with a shimmering cream, infused with flower nectar and dusted with what the sign called starlight sugar.
I sighed, pulling her gently away from the window. "Later, maybe."
I efficiently worked my way through the list, buying spices, flour, vegetables, and salted meat. A respectable amount of coin remained jingling in my pocket. Nyssara trailed silently behind me, her earlier excitement now a quiet observance.
"Okay, I'm almost done," I said, handing her the now-heavy satchel. "I just need to grab one last personal item. Can you wait for me by the main gate? I won't be long."
She nodded, took the bag, and made her way to the arched stone gate at the market's entrance.
A few minutes later, I saw him. A young nobleman, about Nyssara's age and dressed in silks of deep blue and silver, was approaching the gate.
He noticed Nyssara standing alone and, with a smirk, sauntered over and began to taunt her, blocking her path when she tried to move away.
Just as he reached out to grab her arm, I got there. My easy-going demeanor had vanished.
"Excuse me," I said, my voice dangerously calm as I stepped between them. "She's with me. We need to get home."
The boy, who I later learned was named Akatsuki, sneered. "And who are you to tell me what to do?" He didn't move. The air grew tense.
A flicker of rage ignited in my chest. I could feel the familiar thrum of mana beginning to pool in my palms, a crackle of unseen energy in the air around me.
But before I could act, a prim, older man in severe livery appeared at Akatsuki's side.
"Young Master," the butler said, his voice flat and disapproving. "His Majesty is summoning you. It is unbecoming to dally with commoners."
With a furious glare in my direction, Akatsuki spun on his heel and stalked off, his butler following serenely behind.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. I took Nyssara's hand, my grip firm and reassuring, and led her away from the market.
After we had walked a little way in silence, I let go of her hand. "Sorry about that," I said gruffly. "You got harassed by that jerk because of me."
"No, it's okay," she whispered.
We walked a little further before I stopped. I reached into a small paper bag I was carrying and pulled out a Moonpetal Tart. "This is for you."
Her face lit up with a genuine, radiant smile that seemed to chase away all the shadows.
It blossomed on her face like the rarest of flowers. The sight struck me with a sudden, sharp memory: my mother, in my previous life, bringing me a small treat, her face softening with pure, unadulterated joy as she watched me eat it.
"It's been a long time since I've seen a smile like that," I murmured to myself.
"Can I... can I eat it here?" Nyssara asked, looking at a nearby stone bench under a tree.
"Sure," I said.
We sat together, and she took a delicate bite. As she was chewing, she turned to me. "Can I ask you something?"
Her cheeks were full, and a tiny smudge of starlight sugar dotted her nose. She started to speak with her mouth full.
"Whoa, hold on," I chuckled, holding up a hand. "Swallow first, then talk."
She swallowed obediently. Her expression turned serious. And then, she began to tell me everything.
to be continued......